Thank You!

Before I forget, I've got a trio of pretty darn awesome giveaways going on over at my review site right now -- consider it some early Christmas shopping, either for yourself or someone else!  Check here, here, and here.

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November is usually the time to focus on being thankful and appreciating what we have.  While I did that peronally to some degree last month, I know I didn't post anything on it.  And some of what I'm thankful for, I know I didn't appropriately thank the person involved.  There are a lot of people, especially random strangers, who do thoughtful things, and we frequently just accept them.  I'm trying to remember them more often and keep those memories close on the days when I'm tired or frustrated.

Dear School Psychologist,
Thank you for not only taking my call last week - especially since you've never heard of me before -  about Mister Man, but thank you for making me feel better about both me and Mister Man.  It's good to know that I've been doing the "right" thing and that October and November can be really tricky months in kindergarten, especially in the Catholic school where there is such a focus on Christmas.  I really appreciate the suggestions you gave, and thankfully, I can already see a difference!

Dear Blue Car Driver,
Thank you for not being the typical Chicago driver.  I've been a bit, shall we say, busy lately, and I almost forgot where I was going.  I don't usually have to change lanes at the last minute, but I really appreciate you letting me in rather than trying to speed up to keep me one car behind you.  And even more -- I appreciate that you didn't honk at me.

Dear Grocery Cart Dude,
Yesterday was a really cold and miserable day, and I just wanted to get to the store to buy a 2 liter of 7-Up for my co-op party.  Even though I'm sure you were colder, I really appreciate you insisting that I park before you started pushing your collection of grocery carts back to the store.  And to say hi and be friendly once I exited my car?  Well, you just don't see that too often anymore.  It's really nice to see someone happy with his lot in life who is willing to share his happiness.

Dear Blonde Lady,
Thank you so much for your compliment.  I do love my new sweater, and noticing it and saying something about it really made my day.  I've noticed this phenomenon before -- and thus I try to give unsolicited random (but honest) compliments to people once a day at least -- but it never ceases to put a smile on my face when someone tells me that I look nice or that they like something I'm wearing.

Dear School Mom,
Thank you so much for holding open the door to after care for me, as I urged three children to follow me as we attempted to pick up the fourth carpool child last week.  For whatever reason, that door is locked, and the after care people can't hear anyone knocking.  One child in the carpool has soccer very close to the end of the school day, so being able to get into the after care area to pick up the last child quickly really makes a difference.  I appreciate you holding open the door for all of us, as it isn't always the easiest to get us all through.

Dear Carnival Mom,
Thank you so much for the carnival tickets that you gave us.  That was really sweet.  I know how it feels to buy extra tickets sometimes and then realize that children have got to get home, but yet you don't want them to go to waste.  We'd already used all ours, and the line we were standing in to buy more was not conducive to my sanity with children anxious to return to the carnival.  We really appreciate the fact that we now had tickets to have the wee ones go on one last ride before heading home which avoided a certain meltdown.

Dear Nice Child,
Thank you so much for your assistance at the McDonald's playland.  They do not build those playlands for adults to get into whatsoever.  When Little Miss was injured by another child and crying hysterically because she couldn't figure out how to get out, the fact that you helped her and gently held her hand to lead her to the slide and help her down without anyone asking says wonders about you, and I really appreciate it.  And the fact that you helped Little Miss play in the playland after she was assured that she was going to be fine really made me smile.

There are more.  There are lots and lots more, and some I can't even remember other than the happy glow that still sticks with me.  There is so much that's sad and wrong with the world right now, but these little rays of light keep my hope alive.  For anyone who helps a stranger, pays a compliment or otherwise makes someone's day, thank you.

Who are you thankful towards?